Outdoors For All

Micro-grants

A better future is possible if we work together to build the outdoor culture we want. River City Foundation supports this vision through the awarding of one-time grants of up to $5,000 for community-focused outdoor recreation projects that benefit the Greater St. Louis bi-state region.


We are now accepting applications for the first round of Outdoors for All Micro-Grants, which will be awarded at the Gateway Outdoor Summit on November 22, 2024. The deadline for applications to be considered in this round of grants is November 1, 2024.

Eligibility and Criteria for Selection

● Proposal must align with the grant’s focus areas.
● This grant program is limited to applicants in the Greater St. Louis bi-state region, including the counties of Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis, Warren, and The City of St. Louis in Missouri and the counties of Bond, Calhoun, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair in Illinois.
● Grant funding may not be used to support political advocacy, fundraising, lobbying, litigation, terrorist activities, or Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.
● 501(c)(3) status is not required to apply, but individuals cannot apply for their sole benefit. Fiscal sponsorships are eligible.
● The applicant’s organizational or project income level must currently be under $300,000.

Evaluation Process

● Following submission, applications are subjected to an initial administrative screening to ensure each application matches the eligibility criteria.
● The River City Outdoors Advisory Board will review grant applications and score for need, feasibility, sustainability, and relationship to River City Foundations’ mission — to promote outdoor-oriented activities, accelerate equitable outdoor initiatives, and expand outdoor recreation opportunities in the Greater St. Louis bi-state region.

Submission

The grant application consists of:

Applicant Information:

  • Applicant name

  • City

  • County

  • State

Project Information:

  • Organizational or project status (nonprofit, for profit, social enterprise, fiscally sponsored project, or other)

  • Geographic location of work (local vs. regional scale)

  • Focus area (research and resources or events and programming)

  • Project budget

  • Requested grant amount

  • Current operating budget if applicable

Project Proposal:

  • Written and/or video project proposal (maximum length of 5,000 characters or 3-miuntes, respectively)

  • Storyboard and/or visual representation of project (map, rendering, etc.)

  • Letter of recommendation (optional)

We are eager to learn about your innovative projects; however, please note that these funds may be utilized for any organizational needs. There is no required format for your application. Please submit all applications to brad@terrain-mag.com.

*Photo credit: New Carondelet Park Mountain Bike Trail, photo by Route 3 Films